Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the market, usually a source of joy for him, now seemed to taunt him. He observed Sophie effortlessly ordering from a street vendor in perfect Japanese. Liam's chest tightened, a vise squeezing the breath from him. He couldn’t look away.

He’d always held the role of the cultural interpreter, the one who navigated the intricacies of his Japanese heritage for Sophie. Now, it felt like she had become independent of him. She seemed so perfectly at ease.

He excused himself to the bathroom, and the bright market sounds seemed muffled. Leaning against the cold tile, he tried to catch his breath.